Hi Ihab,
There are a handful of manufacturers that I am aware of that make
tampons and pads from natural, organic, and biodegradable material.
That being said, I haven't looked into their bleaching processes, if
they use any. I'm inclined to think that given their attention to other
product specifications that some are likely unbleached.
http://www.natracare.com/englishmain.htmhttp://www.organicessentials.com/products.html
7th Generation brand tampons and pads are available through Whole Foods
and other natural foods stores, or through the Harmony catalog (800)
869-3446.
For more leads on where to find more environmentally-friendly/women's
health-friendly feminine products:
http://www.spotsite.org/healthy.html
There is another alternative, although I expect that it isn't something
that every woman would be willing or interested in trying. That being
said, it is being used and is the highest form of P2 in this
application. The product is a reusable gum rubber cup. It does away
with the need for tampons, and for most women they can use it with no
other protection (although, it is recommended that at first it is used
with a liner). I have also heard that its reusability has some appeal
for its economics, particularly among low income women. There is more
information on these products at the following websites.
http://sisterskeeper.com/jaskow/http://www.thekeeperinc.com/
I also understand that there are reusable, washable, organic cotton pads
(see spotsite.org link above). It's not clear to me how usable these
are though, given the need to transport them for cleaning. Where there
is a will though, I am sure there is a way. Again, some women must be
using them or they would not continue to be on the market.
Andy
Andy Bray
Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association (NEWMOA)
129 Portland Street, Sixth Floor
Boston, MA 02114
617-367-8558 ext. 306
http://www.newmoa.org
NEWMOA is a proud member of P2Rx - a national network of regional P2
information centers.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-p2tech@great-lakes.net [mailto:owner-p2tech@great-lakes.net]
On Behalf Of Ihab H Farag
Sent: Monday, February 07, 2005 8:46 AM
To: 'p2tech@great-lakes.net'
Subject: chemical-free smell-free tampons & pads?
Mon Feb 7, 2005
Hello
I welcome any help on understanding the environmental and health
issues with tampons and absorbing pads. Are there such thing as
chemical-free smell-free hypoallergenic pads?
We had an inquiry from someone who seems to get very irritated by
the smell of tampons and pads (especially after use). The person
was inquiring
- what are the chemicals that are causing these pungent and
irritating smells?
- How safe these are for the user?
- Are there tampers and pads brands out there that are chemical
free, smell-free, and hypoallergenic?
I looked at the web and at the FDA website. I think that most
manufacturers are probably using chlorine-free bleaching agents.
But could it be the smell of hydrogen peroxide bleaching agent?
Thanks for any info or pointers you can provide.
Have a nice day.
Ihab Farag 1-603-862-2313
Ihab H. Farag, Sc.D., P.E. + ihab.farag@unh.edu or
Hamel Professor of Innovation & Technology + ihf@hypatia.unh.edu
Chemical Engineering Department + Off: +1-603-862-2313
University of New Hampshire + home:+1-603-868-5603
33 College Rd (255 Kingsbury Hall) + Fax: +1-603-862-3747
Durham, NH 03824-3591, USA +
homepage:
http://www.unh.edu/p2/ihf
N.H. Pollution Prevention Partnership homepage:
http://www.unh.edu/p2/nhppp
UNH Biodiesel Group homepage:
http://www.unh.edu/p2/biodiesel
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
p2tech is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network:
http://www.great-lakes.net
To unsubscribe from this list: send mail to majordomo@great-lakes.net
with the command 'unsubscribe p2tech' in the body of your message. No
quotes or subject line are required.
About : http://www.great-lakes.net/lists/p2tech/p2tech.info
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
p2tech is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network:
http://www.great-lakes.net
To unsubscribe from this list: send mail to majordomo@great-lakes.net
with the command 'unsubscribe p2tech' in the body of your message. No
quotes or subject line are required.
About : http://www.great-lakes.net/lists/p2tech/p2tech.info
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *